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Aged care nurse salary: where it sits against the national full-time average

The precise figure for an aged care nurse salary is not published in the index. The national full-time average is $108,352 a year, and the full-time median is $90,532.

This sits $40,752 under the Australian full-time average, about 37.6% below the line. The closest full-time state average is Tasmania. It is off the left edge of the ruler. This close-up only covers full-time state averages.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$1,300 a week · $34.21 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $55,448 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Aged care nurse salary and the national full-time average

The index does not publish a specific figure for an aged care nurse salary. To understand where this role sits against the national line, we compare it to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, which puts the full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year. The full-time median, from ABS Employee earnings, August 2025, is $90,532. The all-employees median is $74,100.

Aged care nurses are typically covered by the Aged Care Award or enterprise agreements. The award sets minimum rates that are above the national minimum wage of $26.44 an hour ($52,255 a year on 38 hours). However, the exact salary for an individual aged care nurse depends on classification level, years of experience, shift penalties, and location.

What would move this pay above the average?

To exceed the full-time average of $108,352, an aged care nurse would likely need one or more of the following:

  • Location: Working in a state or territory with a higher full-time average. For example, the Australian Capital Territory average is $119,090, and Western Australia is $115,825. These higher regional averages often reflect stronger demand or cost-of-living adjustments.
  • Senior classification: Registered nurses with advanced clinical skills, team leadership, or management duties may be classified at higher levels under the award or an enterprise agreement, pushing pay above the average.
  • Enterprise agreements: Some aged care providers have enterprise agreements that offer above-award rates, particularly in metropolitan areas or for specialised roles.
  • Experience and tenure: Long-serving nurses may receive incremental pay increases that lift their salary above the median and potentially above the average.
  • Penalty rates and overtime: Weekend, public holiday, and night shift penalties can significantly boost annual earnings, especially for nurses working irregular hours.

What would keep this pay below the average?

Conversely, several factors could keep an aged care nurse salary below the national full-time average:

  • Location: Working in a state with a lower average, such as Tasmania ($96,008) or South Australia ($102,450). Regional and rural areas may also have lower award rates or fewer enterprise agreements.
  • Entry-level classification: New graduates or those at the lowest classification under the Aged Care Award earn less than the full-time median, let alone the average.
  • Part-time or casual work: Many aged care nurses work part-time or casually. The full-time average is based on ordinary-time earnings for full-time employees; part-time or casual earnings are typically lower on an annualised basis.
  • Award-only rates: If the employer does not offer above-award pay, the salary may sit near the award minimum, which for many classifications is below the full-time median.
  • Limited penalty opportunities: Nurses working only day shifts Monday to Friday may miss out on penalty loadings that could otherwise lift their total pay.

How the figures are set

The national full-time average is derived from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings series, which surveys employers. The median figures come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey. The minimum wage and award rates are set by Fair Work. For more on how these benchmarks are calculated, see How the figures are set.

State and territory comparisons

State full-time averages vary widely. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. New South Wales is $109,658, Victoria $106,137, Queensland $106,064, South Australia $102,450, the Northern Territory $103,173, and Tasmania $96,008. An aged care nurse in Tasmania would need to earn significantly more than the state average to reach the national line, while one in the ACT might be closer. See States and territories for more detail.

Industry and occupation medians

The index also tracks medians by occupation and industry. While aged care nurse is not listed separately, the broader health care and social assistance industry median may offer context. The all-employees median of $74,100 is a useful benchmark for part-time or casual workers. For occupation-specific medians, visit Job medians.

Tax considerations

For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. An aged care nurse earning near the full-time average of $108,352 would fall into the 30% bracket plus Medicare, resulting in a marginal rate of 32%. Take-home pay would be lower than the gross figure, but the index focuses on pre-tax salary.

Conclusion

Without a published figure for an aged care nurse salary, the best approach is to compare against the national full-time average of $108,352 and the full-time median of $90,532. Factors such as location, classification, enterprise agreements, and shift patterns can move pay above or below these lines. For a personalised comparison, Place a salary on the line using the site's tool.

Frequently asked questions

See the FAQs above for answers to common queries about aged care nurse pay relative to the minimum wage and the full-time average.

Questions

What is the average salary for an aged care nurse in Australia?

The index does not hold a precise figure for an aged care nurse salary. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, from ABS Average Weekly Earnings May 2026, is $108,352 a year. The full-time median from ABS Employee earnings August 2025 is $90,532. An aged care nurse's pay could be above or below these benchmarks depending on the award, enterprise agreement, location, and experience.

How does the aged care nurse salary compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. Most aged care nurses would earn above this minimum, but the exact amount depends on the applicable award (such as the Aged Care Award) and any loadings or penalties. The award minimums rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026.

What factors could move an aged care nurse's salary above the full-time average?

Several factors could push an aged care nurse's pay above the national full-time average of $108,352. These include working in a state with a higher average, such as the Australian Capital Territory ($119,090) or Western Australia ($115,825); holding a senior or specialised role; working under an enterprise agreement with higher rates; accruing significant experience; or taking on additional responsibilities such as shift coordination or clinical leadership. Conversely, working in a lower-paying state like Tasmania ($96,008) or in a part-time or casual role could keep pay below the average.

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